Primary School Affairs

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 82, 7 April 1938, Page 8

Primary School Affairs

HOKOWHITU SCHOOL To the monthly meeting of the Hokowhitu Schol Committee last evening, the headmaster (Mr A. H. McLean) reported a roll of 265. The attendance of pupils had been seriously affected by sickness since the opening in February. It fell as low as 89 per cent, in the middle of March but had now moved up to almost normal (95 per cent.) Miss Gills had been absent sick sine i March 25 and it would probably be some time before she was again fit for duty. In the meantime Mrs. Taylor was acting as infant mistress. Miss H. Wapp was still unable to resume duty. The 1937-38 swimming season had been a most successful one and the following was a brief summary of results:— Learners (across baths) 81, learners' certificates (50 yards) 61, proficiency certificates (220 yards) 13, merit certificates (880 yards) 18, elementary life saving certificates 12, intermediate life saving certificates 11. Percentage of pupils Standard 2-6 who could swim, 81 per cent.; senior classes, 91 per cent. The thanks of the committee and staff were due to Mr. W. J. Richard for work in decorating the infant rooms. Inspector Merrington visited the school to discuss with the staff modifications in the curriculum in accordance with latest developments in educational thought. WEST END SCHOOL MEETING OF COMMITTEE West End School Committee met last night, there being present Messrs. G. ; Tremaine (chairman), A. Penketh, A. W. Just, A. C. McLean, A. E. Penfold, W. Schwabe, W. Collins, J. Dalziel and W. King (secretary.) Replying to a protest made by the committee in connection with the erection of a temporary classroom in the assembly hall, the Wanganui Education Board advised that this was not intended to take the place of permanent accommodation. The present staffing of the school necessitated the use of the assembly hall for class purposes, and, it was to make conditions as com- 1 fortable as possible for the children in the hall that the temporary accommodation was provided. The board appreciated the necessity for providing additional permanent accommodation, in view of the Government housing scheme in the vicinity, and had decided that every effort would be made to expedite the erection of this accommodation. An application for a grant, together with the necessary plans, was in course of preparation, and would be submitted to the Department in the very near future.

The chairman stated that a permanent classroom and a teachers' retiring room had been placed at the head of the urgent works proposed by the board, and there was a possibility of an early start with them.

It was decided to provide further equipment for the playing area, in the shape of parallel and horizontal bars and seesaws, and Messrs. McLean and Dalziel, with the chairman, were appointed a sub-committee to attend to the matter. Four extra basketball posts are to be provided, at the request of the headmaster, and another two are to be footed.

The headmaster (Mr. H. W. Jackson) reported that the roll number stood at 399, with an average attendance over the past four weeks of 356. At this period last year the roll number was 384. So far four children from the State houses had joined the school. As this was the last meeting of the committee prior to the committee elections, he took the opportunity of thanking members for their courtesy and assistance during their term of office. A resolution of sympathy was passed with the school caretaker, Mr. W. G. Bailey, who has had to enter hospital. Commenting on the financial position of the committee, the chairman said that there had been a credit balance at the end of February of £174 15s, which was £6O better than a year previously.

The chairman thanked members of the committee, the headmaster and the

staff for their help and co-operation during the past two years, while Messrs Just and Penketh paid tribute to what the chairman had done.